Residents and environmental campaigners opposed to the expansion of Southampton Airport are gathering outside the entrance to the terminal building from 10.30 this Saturday morning (June 16) to demand that the airport abandons plans to increase flight numbers and expand infrastructure, and to promote alternatives to short-haul flights.AXE, a coalition of residential associations, environmental organisations and other concerned citizens, has organised the demonstration as part of a Europe-wide Day of Action against short-haul flights. Dozens of people are expected to gather outside the airport with plackards and banners opposing expansion at Eastleigh Airport at around 10.30am They will also be handing out leaflets promoting long-distance trains and coaches as greener alternatives to short-haul flights.
Increased pollution
Last year, Southampton Airport published its revised Masterplan, setting out plans for vast increases in flights and passenger numbers, with the possibility of a second terminal building by 2030. AXE has consistently opposed the plans on the grounds of increased air and noise pollution, increased traffic congestion and rising carbon dioxide emissions from aviation. 77% of the proposed growth at Southampton Airport is on flights within the UK, journeys which could easily be replaced by trains which have only tenth of the CO2 emissions per passenger-km of aeroplanes.
Chris Bluemel, a spokesman for AXE, said: "In spite of the Airport's claims to the contrary, it is abundantly clear that Southampton Airport's expansion will result in increased noise and pollution, and undermine other initiatives in the region to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. At a time when the public generally accepts the need to tackle climate change, this is an intolerable situation."
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